The Progressive Democrat Newsletter grew out of the frustration of the 2004 election. Originally intended for New York City progressives, its readership is now national. For anyone who wants to be alerted by email whenever this newsletter is updated (usually weekly), please send your email address and let me know what state you live in (so I can keep track of my readership).

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Orange County, CA Focus

HEALTHCARE REFORM ACTIONS IN ORANGE COUNTY:

Sep 26 Saturday 9:30am-noon, Orange: Health care in California and on the national level. Sisters of St Joseph conference center library, 480 Batavia Street.Joe Dunn, CEO of the California Medical Association and former state Senator, will speak on health care in California and on the national level. The cost is $10.00 in advance, or $12.00 at the door. Please call Christine Moore at 714-508-2563 for reservations, or mail your check to: COCA League of Women Voters, P.O. Box 704, Orange, CA 92856.

Harvey Milk Stonewall Democrats of Orange County: The Harvey Milk Stonewall Democrats of Orange County are dedicated to the mission of electing LGBT and Pro-Equality Democrats in California and throughout the country.

The Harvey Milk Stonewall Democrats of Orange County typically meet on the last Sunday of the month:

Orange County Biodiesel Cooperative: Working together to increase availability of biodiesel in the Orange County region. Biodiesel is better for the environment because it is made from renewable resources and has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel. It is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar. Since it is made in the USA from renewable resources such as soybeans, its use decreases our dependence on foreign oil and contributes to our own economy. Go to their website to sign up for more info.

Sep 1 Tuesday, 1pm, Laguna Woods Village: Erwin Chemerinsky: Obama, Sotomayor, and the Impact of the Supreme Court Erwin Chemerinsky returns! When he spoke to us last August, a large crowd enthusiastically received his presentation! Dean Chemerinsky is a constitutional scholar, lawyer, writer, teacher and civic leader. He was named by Legal Affairs as one of "the top 20 legal thinkers in America." Prior to coming to UCI to head its new law school in 2008, he was a professor of law and political science at Duke University. He has authored and co-authored numerous books and over 100 law review articles, and he frequently argues appellate cases, including in the United States Supreme Court and the United States Courts of Appeals.

Sep 2 (1st Wednesday) 7pm, Costa Mesa: Democracy for America - Orange County September General Meeting Karl Strauss Brewery, 901 S Coast Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626We will NOT meet in August. We will resume monthly meetings on September 2 and we hope to see you there. If you have any questions, please contact Susan Kopicki at sckopicki@yahoo.com

Sep 5 Saturday and ongoing, Irvine: Join the Voter Registration Drive to turn Orange County Blue. The first target is the City of Irvine with only 4,404 registrations needed to turn it "Blue". What a gem to win from the Republicans! The campaign kicks off Labor Day Weekend with numerous tabling locations to be staffed. This project is being organized and supported by Steve Young, Director of Region 18 of the CA Democratic Party and several OC Democratic Clubs. If you can't help Labor Day weekend, call and schedule for the following weekend. This will be ongoing with a goal of 5,000 registrations before the June 2010 Primary.YES WE CAN TURN OC BLUE! Call Marion Pack at 949-640-4400 to volunteer to staff a location.

Sep 5 (1st Saturday) 10am-1pm, Huntington Beach: Help support Native American land rights at the corner of Bolsa Chica Street and Warner Ave. in the city of Huntington Beach, CA. We will be protesting the destruction of the cogged stone site CA-ORA 83.

Sep 5 Saturday 10am-3pm, Santa Ana: Orange County Labor Day Celebration Santa Ana Zoo Amphitheatre Park Area, 1801 E. Chestnut Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92705Come and join the Orange County Labor Federation as we celebrate Labor Day! Bring your friends and family! There will be many games and activities for your enjoyment. Food and beverages will also be available! Hope to see you on September 5th! FUN AND GAMES: 10AM-3PM LUNCH AND SPECIAL GUESTS: 12 PM-1:30 PM Free Admission to the Santa Ana Zoo from 10 AM- 4:00PM courtesy of the Labor Federation. Pick up your free admission at the picnic area. Go to link below for flyer oclabor.org/images/docs/LABOR_DAY.pdf

Sep 10 Saturday 7:30-11:30pm, Huntington Beach: Bollywood Night at Metro Q for National Equality March Metro Q Bar & Grill, 19092 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach, CA 92648Join us for an amazing night Bollywood style at the fabulous Metro Q in Huntington Beach. There will be fun, fundraising, and prizes...so be sure to dress the part. Metro Q is an inclusive establishment open to all ages. To purchase a ticket, go to: bollywoodnight.eventbrite.com Bring your ticket with you for a chance to win door prizes. Tickets will NOT be sold at the door. Proceeds from this event will be used for the Orange County efforts with Equality Across America and the National Equality March. Equality Across America is a network of decentralized organizers in every one of the 435 Congressional districts. These organizers form Congressional District Action Teams (CDATs) that will do the work on the ground in their own communities to achieve full equality.

Sep 11 Friday 7pm, Irvine: The DPOC Environmental Committee will be showing a newly released documentary "The Great Squeeze", which was selected at 11 film festivals around the world and won an award for best documentary After the film, we'll have some time for people to talk about the film, and to talk to those in the Environmental Committee for the DPOC. You're all invited, so we hope to see you there, and bring your friends.Duck Club, 5 Riparian View, Irvine.

Sep 12 Saturday 4pm, San Juan Capistrano: Green Feast at The Ecology Center 32701 Alipaz St. San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675Please join us for a communal celebration of local food. Upon arriving at The Ecology Center gardens, you'll be given a glass of wine and tempted with appetizers prepared in our alfresco kitchen. Tours of the gardens and farm will be begin at 4:15 and will last approximately thirty minutes. Following the garden and farm tours, Chef Richard Mead of Orange County's renowned Sage Restaurants will curate our meal, consisting of local seafood, free-range meats, organic produce, artisan cheeses, and wines. Guests will enjoy family-style dining in the intimate, outdoor setting. For each course, the local producer or artisan will share the story of how each item journeyed to the table. Reflecting the Center's green philosophy, guests are asked to bring their own plates.You can purchase tickets via our website at theecologycenter.org/greenfeast or by phone by calling (949)443-4223. Seating is limited, and we ask that all reservations be made by August 31. Learn more here: meetup.com/goinggreenorangecounty/calendar/11097282

Sep 13 Sunday 5pm, Newport Beach: Orange County Interfaith Committee to Aid Farm Worker Fundraiser-Dinner at St. Mark Presbyterian Church, 2200 San Joaquin Hills Rd, Newport Beach. our speaker will be the Rev. Noelle Damico of the Presbyterian Hunger Program To make a reservation, please make your checks out to the National Farm Worker Ministry and mail them to Suzanne Darweesh, 2104 Hilltop Ct, Fullerton, CA 92831. For more information please contact her at 714-738-1785 or sdarweesh@aol.com. Donations are requested at $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

Sep 19 Saturday 2pm, Irvine: Americans United for Separation of Church and State - The future of LGBT rights in a "post Prop 8 California" including Marriage Equality and Don't Ask Don't Tell with Katherine Darmer, Chapman University Law Professor and Chair of the Legal Committee of the Orange County Equality Coalition. Professor Darmer is deeply committed to separation of church and state. Her grandfather, Joseph Dawson, was an early proponent of church/state separation and a member of the original group that became "Americans United." Professor Darmer will be speaking about the future of LGBT rights in a "post Prop 8 California," including Marriage Equality and Don't Ask Don't Tell. Admission is free, and refreshments will be served. Irvine Ranch Water District (Multipurpose Room) 15600 Sand Canyon Ave. (at Waterworks) Irvine, CA 92618 Admission is free and refreshments will be served. For information contact: Steph Campbell, (714) 299-4551, or e-mail orangecountyau@yahoo.com

Sep 23 Wednesday 6:30pm, Fountain Valley: Democratic Club Of West Orange County - presents Sandra Robbie, Emmy award winning film maker. Meeting includes a screening of the documentary "Mendez vs. Westminster School District". Sandra has spoken across the country about the Mendez case including at the Smithsonian Institute, Harvard School of Law, Stanford University and PS 114 in the Bronx, NY. In 2004, Sandra saw one of her dreams come true when she was with the Mendez family at the White House when they were honored by the President for their contribution to American civil rights. Sandra is now working with Chapman University to create a permanent home for the study and celebration of Mendez v. Westminster with the goal of bring students and scholars from across the country to learn about the amazing civil rights history that happened here that helped to change our nation.Meeting is at Green Valley Community Center, 17250 Los Jardines West, Fountain Valley. For more information see dcwoc.org or call Jo Anne at (714) 846-5201 or email jennin1944@yahoo.com

Sep 26 Saturday 10am-4pm, Huntington Beach: Huntington Beach Green Expo Sponsored by the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce and ?the City of Huntington Beach Economic Development Department. This was an excellent green expo in 2008 with a respectable amount of vendor booths and speakers throughout the day. Interested in being a vendor at this expo? Visit hbchamber.org for more information. HB Central Library 7111 Talbert Ave Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Sep 26/27 Saturday/Sunday, San Diego: California Democratic Council Grassroots Convention Convention at San Diego's Historic Naval Training Center Promenade Leadership Dinner at the Hilton Harbor Island Hotel Join Democratic activists, volunteers, club members, Party leaders, and friends for the first-ever joint Convention of the San Diego County Democratic Party and the California Democratic Council. * Build knowledge and skills in your choice of workshops and forums * Hear from Democrats running for statewide office in 2010 * Meet new friends, form alliances, and get inspired by our Party's grassroots strength! actblue.com/page/convention09

Oct 10 (2nd Saturday) 6:30-8:30pm, Irvine: ReclaimDemocracy.org Orange County: Screening of "Flow: For the Love of Water" (The film that will change the way you think about water.) ReclaimDemocracyOC.org Irvine Ranch Water District Headquarter, 15600 Sand Canyon Ave., Irvine, CA

Oct 13 Tuesday 6:30pm, Newport Beach: Movie - Dwindling Drops in the Sand 1601 16th Street, Newport Beach. a documentary filmed by Sama Wareh - one of our very own Nature Camp teachers! Travel with Sama on a journey to investigate Syria's water crisis - and gain insight into global water issues that are affecting us right here in California. The documentary begins with an intro to Syria, its history, why Sama is there, and the dangers involved in filming the documentary. Learn about the causes of the water crisis, why it is so significant, and what positive steps folks are taking to remedy the problem. Bring friends and family to enjoy awesome cinematography, adventure, and Sama's famous humor and wit! The documentary is intended for all audiences. For more information, visit www.warehart.com. Organic popcorn will be served! Bring your own re-useable bowl and beverage container. Call 949-645-8489 to RSVP. Suggested donation: $5. Space is limited.

Oct 13 Tuesday 6:30pm, Newport Beach: Environmental Nature Center Green Building Tour 1601 16th Street Newport Beach, CA 92663 Join us for a tour of the ENC's new "Green Building" - the first Platinum LEED Building in Orange County! The tour will begin with a short presentation describing the green building techniques that went into development of the ENC's new building and the reasons behind the incorporation of each green feature. Participants will learn about ways to make their homes and businesses more environmentally friendly and how they can incorporate renewable energy. Enjoy a "behind the scenes" tour of the ENC's new green building - inside and out - to see the sustainable features and materials. Call 949-645-8489 to RSVP. Suggested donation: $5. Space is limited. meetup.com/goinggreenorangecounty/calendar/10988302

Oct 21 Tuesday 6:30pm, Newport Beach: Movie - Dwindling Drops in the Sand 1601 16th Street, Newport Beach. a documentary filmed by Sama Wareh - one of our very own Nature Camp teachers! Travel with Sama on a journey to investigate Syria's water crisis - and gain insight into global water issues that are affecting us right here in California. The documentary begins with an intro to Syria, its history, why Sama is there, and the dangers involved in filming the documentary. Learn about the causes of the water crisis, why it is so significant, and what positive steps folks are taking to remedy the problem. Bring friends and family to enjoy awesome cinematography, adventure, and Sama's famous humor and wit! The documentary is intended for all audiences. For more information, visit www.warehart.com. Organic popcorn will be served! Bring your own re-useable bowl and beverage container. Call 949-645-8489 to RSVP. Suggested donation: $5. Space is limited.

Oct 24 Saturday 9am-3:30pm, Orange: United Nations Day/International Day of Climate Action Run, Walk, Bike, or Carpool (in your alternative fuel vehicle) to the Outdoor Education Center (located adjacent to Irvine Regional Park) 2 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA For more information, to download the printable registration form, or to register on-line, please visit the registration website at WWW.OCICE.ORG Enter the 5K Walk, hosted by the UNA-USA, Orange County Chapter. Join in the hike, beginning at Irvine Regional Park, hosted by the Sierra Club Join an OC bike club on a ride (from various locations throughout OC) to the Outdoor Education Center Participate in the tree planting at the Outdoor Education Center Participate in the aerial photo of the number - 350 that will be uploaded to the 350.org website Houses of Worship - Ring your bells 350 times! Play on the Zip Line Guest Speakers include: OC Clergy who have signed the Creation Protection Agreement Local Politicians that are working to reduce their cities CO2 emissions Keynote address: Chris Prelitz, sustainable architecture, author, and activist Eco-Friendly exhibits-This rally is a coordinated effort by the following organizations: www.350.org www.earthresource.org www.ocice.org http://www.una-oc.org/ www.outdooreducationcenter.org www.sierraclub.com